Bull Temple in Basavangudi is dedicated to Nandi, the mount of Lord Siva. The temple was constructed in the 16th century and is carved out of single granite block. The temple depicts the Dravidian style and lots of people visit during the months of November and December to participate in the Kallekai festival which is the festival of harvesting peanuts.
The Bull Temple
The bull temple or the Nandi temple situated in Bangalore have a 4.57m high bull. It is also of 6.10m in length too. The Nandi is carved out of one single granite stone and this is a monolithic statue. In Kannada Basava means bull and Gudi means living place and the area surrounding this temple is named after Nandi's living place and is called as Basavangudi. The temple is built in 1537 by a Vijayanagara king in the Vijayanagara architectural style (which is also dravidian style). The Nandi faces the temple of Lord Shiva and is in the mandap with sculptures of Lord Surya dn Chandra on their chariots.
On 14th January, the sun's rays passes between the two horns of the Nandi and lights the idol of Lord Shiva - Sri Gavi Gandadhareshwara Temple which is in the underground of the temple. The temple comes to full liveliness during the Shivaratri festival.
Legend
The area surrounding the bull temple which was known as Sunkenahalli had lots of farm lands where the farmers raised groundnuts. Once a bull was grazing the well grown crops of peanuts and the owner of the land hit the bull with a club. The bull sat there stunned and it turned to be a stone statue. The farmers then decided to build a temple for the bull and they all were shocked to see the bull growing taller and taller. The farmer who hit the bull then prayed for Lord Shiva who advised him to take a trident burried a few feet away from the bull and place it on top of the head of the bull. Thus done, Nandi stopped growing. And from then on the farmers place their first crop of groundnut harvest as an offerring to the bull.
Thus every year during the harvest period of groundnut a ground nut fair or Kadalekai Parishe is held at the temple premises to show their gratitude.
Temple Timings
The temple is open from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Accessibility to Bull Temple
KSRTC - The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation operates regular busses from all over the state to the temple premises. Tourists can also avail of tourist coaches and taxi too.
Important thing to note:
Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.